Detroit Red Wings director of European scouting Hakan Andersson calls Axelsson a "more talented version of Mikael Samuelsson. He's certainly our best European prospect in a bunch of years," Andersson says. "That talent, that's what people are dying for. In my book, I don't think there's a prospect in Sweden (already drafted) who I would trade him for."

"He's big, he's fast, he has very good hands and hockey sense," Andersson says. "He's equally good at scoring and passing. Some guys are passers, some are goal-scorers. Samuelsson's a goal-scorer. Dick has both those assets."

Andersson hasn't spoken about a prospect in a contract year so glowingly since Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk were coming up the pipe. The natural talent is in place for Axelsson to become another gem along those lines.

"If he makes it, he has a chance to be first-line material," Andersson says. "He's that good. Pure talent-wise, he's up there with any name you can mention."

There is little doubt that Axelsson will be signed at season's end. From there, he'll likely bring his game to the American Hockey League. The sky is the limit.

"If he can learn to work hard every shift and fill out, I've got to say, he's the biggest prospect we've had in years," Andersson says. "The upside is very, very exciting."

i was syked to hear that when i read that also, Its good to hear because it seems like everyone in the minor system, isnt top 1-2 scoring line material just 3rd-4th liners.. and potenial AHL all star's/NHL lack luster type players. so this is a good sign. hopefully we can get more young promising players in the system.

Kudos to Teeman for the Sig"You remember that chap a few years ago, climbed Everest with no oxygen, came down nearly dead...they asked him why he went up there to die. He said I didn't, I went up there to live."

September 27, Aftonbladet (roughly translated): Dick Axelsson was on loan from Detroit last season and did well to get sacked from Djurgarden and win the Eliteserien championship with Farjestad. But even if he only plays games in the farm league this season, Axelsson has decided not to return to the Eliteserien:

"No, I will play a full season here. I will not give up and go home, it would just feel wrong. Detroit wants me to be there and get into the game on a small rink."

I've been waiting for Dick to get out on the ice and show everyone what he's capable of and yet he's been unable to play due to injuries. Hopefully he can get out there soon because I think he could be a really good contributor for the Griffins this season.

Personal: Lives in Stockholm, Swedenâ€¦Best friend in hockey is teammate Mattias Ritolaâ€¦Hockey idol as a youth was Peter Forsbergâ€¦Greatest influence on his career was his parentsâ€¦Plans to coach hockey after his playing careerâ€¦Also speaks Swedishâ€¦Played soccer and floorball growing upâ€¦Once met Swedish soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovi?â€¦Favorite food is steakâ€¦Favorite music artist is Lars Winnerbackâ€¦Favorite movie is A Night at the Roxburyâ€¦Favorite TV show is Two and a Half Menâ€¦Favorite web site is aftonbladet.seâ€¦Favorite sport to watch besides hockey is tennisâ€¦Enjoys tennis, cards and video games.

I'm really trying to control my expectations of him. At this point I really don't see an upside higher than 2nd/3rd line tweener if he makes it; and I mean that in the Leino sense of comparison as in doesn't play with enough spark to be on the bottom six and sometimes doesn't play tough enough to be on the top six.

I think people forgot about this kid since he fled back to Sweden, but he's tearing it up. He's leading his team in goals and points and I read his playing lights out this year. Kid is full of skill and is a goal scorer. If he tweaks his attitude, we'll have a rock solid player. Red Wings haven't given up on just yet. I hope he comes to Grand Rapids next year and proves he wants it.

i think Dicks thinking is that he by-passes the Griffs and goes straight to the Joe much as Z did.

That might be his thinking, but it's not Holland's thinking. If he doesn't spend at least a season in Grand Rapids, then he might as well consider his chance to be over. I hope he takes this opportunity and runs with it.... he might be a good NHLer someday if his attitude changes.

Not going to happen. We've got Mursak coming up next year, possibly Emmerton and Filppula too, no way Axelsson bypasses them, especially Filppula who was prepared to spend a season in the AHL.

I don't know about that, if all of a sudden HTD comes in and dominates in camp finally showing his potential I could see him skipping over Emmerton and Flip(big).

Kudos to Teeman for the Sig"You remember that chap a few years ago, climbed Everest with no oxygen, came down nearly dead...they asked him why he went up there to die. He said I didn't, I went up there to live."

i think Dicks thinking is that he by-passes the Griffs and goes straight to the Joe much as Z did.

You nailed it. My feeling is that's exactly what he's thinking. But if he thinks he's created a situation for himself similar to Zetterberg's then he is in for perhaps one of the rudest awakenings in prospect history.